SPARCC, United Way of the Adirondacks worked together to produce "Addicted to Hope" documentary

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Updated: 7:00 PM EST Jan 22, 2019

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WEBVTT NATS: IN TERMS OF THE OPIATE CRISIS, IVE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS STORIES OF ADDICTION.. AND THE IMPACT OF THE HEROIN AND OPIOID CRISIS IN OUR OWN NEIGHBORHOODS .. ARE BEING SHARED IN A NEW DOCUMENTARY. JOHN: 3730: I THINK IT WILL HAVE A REAL IMPACT, THAT'S WHY WE DID THIS THE UNITED WAY OF THE ADIRONDACKS AND SPARCC -- A COALITION OF ADVOCATES FOR PEOPLE STUGGLING WITH SUBSTANCE ABUSE -- PARTNERED TO PRODUCE THE FILM 'ADDICTED TO HOPE'. TRAILER NAT: HEAR FROM RECOVERING ADDICTS AND FAMILIES WHO WHOSE LIVES HAVE BEEN FOREVER CHANGED. THEY CAME OUT AND SAID IM SORRY YOUR SON IS DECEASED THE STORIES COME FROM PEOPLE AT DIFFERENT STAGES -- OF DIFFERENT AGES -- BUT ALL FROM CLINTON, ESSEX AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES. JOHN: 3748: WHEN PEOPLE SEE AND HEAR FROM PEOPLE THEY KNOW OR KNOW OF OR ARE RELATED TO OR LIVE NEAR, IT'S A WHOLE DIFFERENT BALL GAME AND WE'RE FINDING THE RESPONSE TO IT IS TREMENDOUS LIKE THE UNTIED WAY'S JOHN BERNARDI, DIANA AGUILA OF THE ALLIANCE FOR POSTIVE HEALTH IS A MEMBER OF SPARCC.. SHE AND THE OTHER MEMBERS OF THE GROUP BELIEVE THE FILM WILL RESONATE DIFFERENTLY BECAUSE OF ITS LOCAL FOCUS. DIANA: IT'S REAL, IT'S NOT A MOVIE THAT FICTIONAL. ITS REAL, IT'S LOCAL FOLKS THAT WE KNOW THE FILM WILL FIRST BE PLAYED ON MOUNTAIN LAKE P-B-S BEFORE BEING SHARED WIDELY WITH SCHOOLS AND OTHER COMMUNITY GROUPS ACROSS THE REGION. IF YOU'D LIKE TO SEE THE FILM. THERE'S A SCREENING TONIGHT AT 7OCLOCK. AT MOUNTAIN LAKE PBS IN PLATTSBURGH. THE FILM WILL BE RUNNING ALL WEEKEND ON MOUNTAIN LAKE PBS... AND THEN WILL BE SHARED WITH COMMUNITY GROUPS. IN THE STUDIO, LAD, NBC5 NEWS. NEWSCHANNEL 5 AT 6 TRANS

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'Addicted to Hope' doc shares stories of addiction, perseverance

SPARCC, United Way of the Adirondacks worked together to produce "Addicted to Hope" documentary

Stories of addiction and the impact the heroin and opioid crisis is having in the North Country is the focus of a new documentary, "Addicted to Hope." The United Way of the Adirondacks and SPARCC, a coalition of advocates for people struggling with substance abuse, partnered to produce the film."I think it will have a real impact. That's why we did this," said John Bernardi, of the United Way. "When people see and hear from people they know or know of, or are related to or live near, it's a whole different ball game. And we're finding the response to it has been tremendous."The United Way and SPARCC produce the film. Bruce Carlin, of Carlin Media, shot and directed. "I think seeing people that are local makes you realize that it's real. It's in our community. It's in our neighborhood. It's our friends. It's our relatives," Alliance for Positive Health and SPARCC member Diana Aguglia said. "We need to work together to help prevent people from becoming addition, but also work with the folks that are in the throws of addiction."The film includes stories from people at different stages of addiction, but also with people who don't use themselves, but are impacted by the epidemic through their work or personal lives. "We found it to be a tremendous conversation starter and that really is at the heart of what we're trying to do," Bernardi said. He said he hopes the film helps not only with prevention purposes, but also recovery, anti-stigma, child welfare issues and other heroin-related issues. A screening was held Tuesday night at Mountain Lake PBS in Plattsburgh.Following the film, there will be a panel discussion with community leaders about the the impact heroin and opioid abuse is having in the region.The film will first be played on Mountain Lake PBS over the weekend before being shared with schools, businesses and other community groups.

PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. —

Stories of addiction and the impact the heroin and opioid crisis is having in the North Country is the focus of a new documentary, "Addicted to Hope."

The United Way of the Adirondacks and SPARCC, a coalition of advocates for people struggling with substance abuse, partnered to produce the film.

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"I think it will have a real impact. That's why we did this," said John Bernardi, of the United Way. "When people see and hear from people they know or know of, or are related to or live near, it's a whole different ball game. And we're finding the response to it has been tremendous."

The United Way and SPARCC produce the film.

Bruce Carlin, of Carlin Media, shot and directed.

"I think seeing people that are local makes you realize that it's real. It's in our community. It's in our neighborhood. It's our friends. It's our relatives," Alliance for Positive Health and SPARCC member Diana Aguglia said. "We need to work together to help prevent people from becoming addition, but also work with the folks that are in the throws of addiction."

The film includes stories from people at different stages of addiction, but also with people who don't use themselves, but are impacted by the epidemic through their work or personal lives.

"We found it to be a tremendous conversation starter and that really is at the heart of what we're trying to do," Bernardi said.

He said he hopes the film helps not only with prevention purposes, but also recovery, anti-stigma, child welfare issues and other heroin-related issues.

A screening was held Tuesday night at Mountain Lake PBS in Plattsburgh.

Following the film, there will be a panel discussion with community leaders about the the impact heroin and opioid abuse is having in the region.

The film will first be played on Mountain Lake PBS over the weekend before being shared with schools, businesses and other community groups.